Are Public Schools Better Than Homeschooling

Am I crazy to even be talking about “Homeschooling” v’s “Schooling” as there are advantages/disadvantages to both systems. But I am not going into the big debate about what is better than the other. What I want to share is MY personal thoughts about “Are Public Schools Better Than Homeschooling“

School Interviews

For which I am so very grateful, as I was strong enough to speak my mind regards our style of learning.

Did you know that boys are behind with regards to schooling compared to girls. It’s a fact – boys think differently and learn differently. If we had our school system set up for boys then they would be outside building/creating as they love to work with their hands. They also love to move around.

Not sitting down at a desk for over 6 hours of “MUST” learn curriculum. Really do we live with what we learn at school? GET real – the real world works differently.

Asking Others For Their Thoughts

After the interview I felt like I was doing wrong by our boys so I started to ask around. I was amazed with how many wonderful Homeschooling Parents wanted to share their thoughts……

Here is Windwalker Duo successful homeschooling story:-

“I wanted Tigger to have a similar experience with his education, to be able to pursue subjects that interested him, things that he was passionate and thirsty about learning. The more I researched the more comfortable I felt with the idea of leaving behind America’s traditional “learn to pass the test” model. Learning should be fun, exciting, an adventure. Why does it have to be only sitting behind a desk while teachers feed you information that you’re expected simply to retain long enough to regurgitate? This is especially important for Tigger. With his sensory issues, a “normal” classroom can be quite stressful and anxiety provoking. He is also a very tactile and kinetic learner. When learning math he needs tangibles, things he can physically manipulate. He likes to figure things out on his own rather than listening to a teacher, in his own words, “go blah, blah, blah all day.”

Travel is an amazing educator, and the nomadic or long-term travel life offers even more benefits. When your mind is constantly stimulated, you learn more, faster, and retain more. Not only is Tigger’s classroom the world, but the outdoors is as well. We often do some informal education while we’re walking, hiking, exploring a new place, and so on. I have found that when we are doing “lessons” while moving, his brain is that much more agile. I’ve been absolutely amazed at his degree of retention during these moments. I think it’s even more pertinent for such a kinetic child” – By Windwalker Duo

After reading how Tigger likes to learn I started to feel like what I had been doing with our boys was the right way for them. Our boys are very smart, but it’s not clear on paper! They don’t like to write.

Big deal – have a five-minute conversation and they will blow you away with what they do know. That is our style of schooling – having many different questions and answer conversations.

So if Windwalker Duo teachers on the same ideas as what we like to teach…what about other families?

Here is Bohemian Mom Homeschooling Ideas:-

“We have gone through the entire education journey the past 8 years. My oldest son was in traditional school and although it wasn’t a terrible experience it quickly became apparent that being gone full days was not what would work for any of us. Brothers missing each other, boredom in the classroom, and an overall sadness at leaving the family everyday were enough for us to try something new.

Then we did school at home for years and although I felt it was more superior to what went on in the classroom, as they were able to learn each subject at their own level. It still was not a good fit though as I still had struggles with forcing the kids to do schoolwork.

As I educated myself more on the subject I was able to let go of a lot of the general stereotypes associated with education and relax. We settled into unschooling and immediately saw the benefits in letting our children follow their own path. We guide them and help to initiate new interests but it is up to them to decide how far they want to take anything.

It has been incredible to see how much they have learned. It may not fit the traditional model but the boys are all independent, knowledgeable, and know how to seek out information regarding what interest them. Don’t we all learn best this way? Why not allow our children have the same rights. Believe me, when you open your mind to what constitutes knowledge you will quickly see that children learn every moment, it is in our nature from birth.” – By Bohemain Mom

I too believe that we teach our children from birth! They watch everything we do, and they copy our moves. They hear us speak and they speak the same words. They see how we act and they act the same. If we want our children to be successful, then we need to be successful. If we want our children to love reading, then we need to read books!

It’s that simple 🙂

So does that back up my question “Are Public Schools Better Than Homeschooling” – Well what if I said that I have even more amazing homeschooling stories to share?

Well I do….I have heaps more, and they keep on rolling in. I will be sharing more – please connect with our blog so that you can see when I update Part 2 of our Homeschooling Stories.

The best part of asking other families about their thoughts on Homeschooling Methods, is knowing that I am not harming my children’s future. I am not giving them a disadventage but actually providing an environment that allows them to learn by their own interests. I am not alone on my journey of what style of homeschooling I want to explore!

I remember a few years back (like about 14 years ago) receiving this poem…..

Footprints“Walk a little slower, Daddy,” said a child so small. “I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, Sometimes they’re hard to see; So walk a little slower, Daddy, For you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up, You’re what I want to be; Then I will have a little child Who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, And know that I was true; So, walk a little slower, Daddy, For I must follow you.“

~ Author Unknown ~

That poem sums up everything I have ever thought about with our boys!

Even though it is addressed to “Daddy” it could easily be addressed to “Parent” and that is something that I feel is so important! Teaching by being 🙂

Do You Have ANY thoughts about Homeschooling?

Are Public Schools Better Than Homeschooling?

Share your thoughts below…..

Cheers

Lisa

PS ::: DO you have a homeschooling story you would like to share? Would love to hear from you – email lisawsdream@gmail.com

12 thoughts on “Are Public Schools Better Than Homeschooling”

I think every family is different. Personally, I prefer to send my kids to school and I think they prefer to go. Our school is trialling an all boy and all girl class in yr 9 this year as they know that boys and girls learn differently. The boys are often seen out on the field doing experiments with rockets etc. They also have a mixed class for the kids who are doing fine with the way they have been learning the whole time. Will be interesting to see if their marks improve?? I was homeschooled for 1 year in Grade 7 and I must say I preferred to go to school, but all my brothers and sisters had finished school by then so I was left alone to complete my work. At school I had kids to play with.Jackie Stenhouse recently posted..Heart Cookie Cutters

I think that you do a fantastic job with your three wonderful children! And I agree – schools are good for families as long as children are learning (happily). It will be interesting to see how the trial classroom goes? I have heard that boys in year8 and above become too distracted by girls in the classroom and do need a all boys class. I think homeschooling is great for the families who like that style of learning, especially for those that are on the move so much.
It would be different if you were alone to complete your work – I guess that is why so many families join homeschooling groups.

I absolutely loved school as a kid, but I had an extremely abusive mother, so it was more of an escape for me. Plus I loved to learn and was very motivated. But I’d also say school did little for me. I educated myself in a lot of ways.

There isn’t any one solution that fits all children and families. Parents need to consider their child’s needs and learning styles when making a decision about schooling, and hopefully if they choose to not homeschool they can at least find a schooling environment that is supportive of their child’s needs and learning style.Talon recently posted..Naxos: A Perfect Getaway with the Kids

Home or un schooling is an extremely personal choice. It has to be what is right for your family and that will always be different things. Sometimes even within 1 family each child needs something different in regards to education.

I think one thing that really needs to change is the games of competition we parents play. Just because one person un schools and talks about it in no way diminishes the way some body else handles education for their family. It is not a competition just a simple sharing of information:)

I currently work as a full-time Substitute Teacher, and agree that education does need to be individualized to each child. So many children hate to read/refuse to read/cannot read or comprehend math and other subjects due to the miserable failing of the educational system. Yet, they are incredibly talented artistically and conceptually! Often rather than plod through the lesson plans left by teachers I make revisions geared toward what the students wish to discuss…and they stick to school related topics, eagerly expressing thoughts and ideas that are truly pertinent to practical life. I throw in math, english, history, and social science as pertains to their interests. They “get it” in their own unique ways. And once they see that I am there for them, caring what they think, they so eagerly ask questions and seek counsel on information which proves necessary according to the educational system, without the pedantics of learning-for-regurgitation. And they listen–and thank me for listening. Parents, do what you know is best for your precious children.

You are on the best track ever – working out what works best for each child and helping them to achieve the best ever 🙂

Many kids develop at their own pace and are very bright – its a matter of working out what they are interested in and letting them explore that topic as they go. That is the best way to learn – by their own passions/interests.

I wish there were more substitute teachers with your philosophy Ms D. I’m a qualified primary teacher but have not taught for years and I saw how some children would have had a more enjoyable learning experience if the program was geared more toward their interests. Good on you!! Keep up the good work.